Workshops: Enhancing communication for nursing students with patients with hearing disabilities

Abstract Background Nursing students need guidance on effective communication strategies for interacting with patients with hearing disabilities, emphasizing the importance of addressing this gap in their education as future healthcare professionals. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among nursing students at seven institutions before and after workshops led by guides with hearing disabilities from a non-profit organization Ma’agalei Shema and funded by the National Insurance Institute. Data was collected from 2023 to March 2024 and analyzed using SPSS software. Results 279 participants completed the survey before the workshops. and 136 responding afterward. Almost 80% were female. Before the workshops, 68.46% of students expected to gain communication tools for patients with hearing disabilities. About one-third believed the healthcare system offers accessible treatment to these patients, while only 22.22% foresaw no barriers. One-third reported no clinical contact with such patients. Among those who did, lip-reading (25.53%), writing (17.73%), assistance from family members (15.6%), and sign language (9.22%) were commonly used. Only 2.84% used professional sign language interpreters, and 20.57% reported never meeting a patient with hearing disabilities (8% reported “other”). Post-workshop surveys showed that around 82.48% of participants felt the workshops would significantly enhance their communication skills with such patients, with only 5.11% reporting a lack of practical tools received. Conclusions Practical workshops can significantly enhance communication skills and improve patient care. This study underscores the potential impact of minor adjustments in communication strategies on patient care, such as increasing the use of professional interpreters. Main messages: Providing training to nursing students in effective communication with these patients can streamline interactions, diminish reliance on family intermediaries, and enhance medical care. Key messages • Nursing students need guidance on communicating with patients with hearing disabilities to improve future healthcare interactions. • Practical workshops enhance communication skills, stressing the importance of minor adjustments for better patient care.